LabyrinthitisVertigo from swimming?

Alvin Hom

I've been a bit light headed and woozy lately and couldn't figure out what was going on. Also had some ringing in my ears. I went to the Dr and he said that appears that I have Labyrinthitis. He said ears looks a little red but not infected. Told me to rest and take prednisone in a few days if it doesn't go away. Then see a neurologist after that if I still have problems. I started thinking that maybe all the swimming I've been doing lately and getting water in the ear could be giving me problems. Has anyone heard of such a thing? I guess I need to wear earplugs or something?

David Leventhal

I wear ear plugs every time I swim. Every time.

The cold water in your ear drums can definitely cause dizziness. The pool isn't so bad but I wear them anyway so that I'm used to the feel for open water swims when the temps can be really cold.

Scott Alexander

I also wear ear plugs any time I swim, regardless of indoor or outdoor, hot or cold. I don't know, medically, if it'll help your situation, but it definitely can't hurt!

Jeff Braaten

As an Otolaryngologist I see lots of patients with vertigo/dizziness. Indeed cold water in the ear can cause vertigo but would only last a few seconds to minutes when you ear is exposed to cold water and would not last. It occurs due to the change in temperature to the balance organs within the bone behind the eardrum. So, if it is a brief episode while swimming in cold water it may be due to that and plugs may help but if not it is unlikely to have anything to do with the pool. Question, is it vertigo( spinning ) or lightheadedness? Is is episodes or doesn't stop at all? If episodic, how long do the episodes last? Any new hearing loss or noises in your ears, key word is new?

Alvin Hom

Well Jeff how nice it is to have a Otolaryngologist Triathlete to hear me out!

It it is more lightheadedness and spacey than spinning. Some light ringing (new) noticeable at night for the past few days but no discernible hearing loss. Previously during the last few weeks dizziness episodic in nature lasting 10 min to an hour maybe every 3 or 4 days but past 4-5 days been more consistent throughout the day with varying degrees of intensity with the worst being a few days ago causing a sleepless night.

Other notes:

* 1 month ago visited GP for sudden ringing and hearing loss and dr removed large wax and hearing was restored and ringing stopped. Ears a bit sensitive after during next few swims but nothing major.

* 2 Month ago visited Allergist for mild uncontrolled asthmaSOB that I've developed 5 months ago. (been taking dulair for 4 months) Got script for prednisone burst and singulair. Didn't start singulair until last month and then the occasional dizziness started which I attributed to Singulair. I stopped Singulair 5 days ago because I was tired of dizziness and didn't seem to help my SOB symptoms anyways. 2 days after stopping Singulair woke up with some ringing in ear and intense nauseadizziness that didn't really go away. Return visit to allergist a few days ago got me another script for high dose taper course of predisone and zofran with advice to see neurologist if symptoms persist. (Haven't started prednisone cause I just had it 2 months ago)

I'm was really hoping it's the swimming or the Singulair that's causing it but now suspecting maybe TMJ or something else since it's already been 5 days since stopping Singulair. (No symptoms of TMJ for few years and previous symptoms were jawpain and headaches. I have a crossbite.) I've skipped last 2 swims but plan on trying tomorrow.

Racing St George 70.3 in 5 weeks and I signed up for my first Full in August (IMMT). With this going on it feels like IMMT might be out of the picture.

Appointment with ENTOtolaryngologist in 2 weeks. I'm going to try to keep training as long as I can stand up!

Jeff Braaten

Vertigo usually but not always points to an ear problem, lightheadedness while maybe and ear problem opens the door to many causes. These can be anything from anemia, anxiety, cardiovascular issues, anything that decreases oxygen to the brain, etc.. With that said most thing we get are not that serious but it is a little weird that 5 months ago you developed what is thought to be asthma. Is this a totally new diagnosis or have you had this for years? Unlikely that the singulair is causing the problem, it has several common reactions but yours don't make the list. I think it is wise to see your local ENT doctor but wouldn't count out being able to do IMMT. Let me know what your doc says he thinks the problem is. I suspect with the ringing in the ear you will definitely need a hearing test/audiogram and maybe some other tests to check it out.